Scott Peterson

Adjunct Professor – Choral Studies

In the fall of 2012, Scott Peterson returned to his alma mater to conduct the CWU Men’s Choir as an adjunct professor.

He retired in June, 2012, from Yakima Valley Community College after 36 successful years as Director of Choral Activities. While at YVCC, Dr. Peterson conducted the Concert Choir and Chamber Singers and also taught music appreciation and music theory. He continues as Chorusmaster of the Yakima Symphony Chorus which is the choral organization of the Yakima Symphony Orchestra. He teaches a Choral Literature Techniques course in the CWU summer graduate offerings for the Masters of Music Education.

A native of Iowa, Scott Peterson received his D.M.A. degree in Choral Conducting from the University of Washington where he conducted the U. W. Opera Chorus. He was granted Central Washington University’s first M. A. degree in conducting where he formed and conducted the Central Chorale. He received a B. A. degree in music education from Midland Lutheran College where he conducted the Freshmen Chorale. Dr. Peterson studied with Robert DeCormier, Dale Warland, Abraham Kaplan, Joan Conlon, William Hatcher, Maurice Skones, E. Gordon Leavitt and Eugene B. Nelson. He also twice performed as a member of the Robert Shaw Festival Singers in Carnegie Hall under Robert Shaw.

Dr. Peterson was a member of Male Ensemble Northwest for 27 years. During that time he performed with MEN at two national ACDA conferences and several division conferences. He was on the faculty at the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival for 7 summers where he conducted the FSAF Chamber Singers and the Festival Chorus.

Dr. Peterson is past president of the Northwestern Division of the American Choral Directors Association. During his term, the Divisional conference was held in Vancouver, B. C., the first ACDA conference to occur outside the United States.